Martin Freeman Joins the Cast of ‘Captain America: Civil War’

Bilbo Baggins himself is headed to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in next year’s highly anticipated third Captain America film.

Announced today directly by Marvel, actor Martin Freeman (The Hobbit trilogy, BBC’s “Sherlock”) has joined the cast of next May’s Captain America: Civil War in an unspecified role. Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige, the head producer on all Marvel Cinematic Universe projects, released a statement on the casting, saying,

From his roles as Bilbo Baggins and Doctor Watson to Tim in “The Office,” Martin’s range from the dramatic to the comedic has consistently impressed us. We couldn’t be more honored or excited to have such a talented actor join the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

While it’s possible that Freeman will be playing an existing comic book character, it’s also likely he’ll be playing someone original due to the expected political threads that Civil War will be contending with as a reaction to the events of both Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Avengers: Age of Ultron. Freeman is following in the steps of “Sherlock” co-star Benedict Cumberbatch, who was also recently announced to be joining the MCU as Doctor Stephen Strange in that character’s upcoming solo film.

Captain America: Civil War will be written by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, and directed by Joe and Anthony Russo. It will hit theaters on May 6th, 2016. For more on the film as it takes shape, keep it locked on GeekNation!